DAT Done

[Hygienist]

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So these are my scores from yesterday, I was too bummed out yesterday to post anything:

PAT 18 55.3% 😡
QR 17 76.6%
RC 19 67.6%
Bio 19 83.5%
GC 21 91.6%
OC 21 89.7%
TS 20 91.3%
AA 19 85.4%


I am quite disappointed by my score. I was expecting a bit higher on PAT and RC. QR I was expecting that. The sciences I am ok with I think. I was aiming for a higher DAT score because my GPA is pretty low 3.1 🙁
I am a Dental Hygienist for 7 years and was a Dental Assistant before that for 4 years. I also have many shadowing hours which I have done at the dentist I work for. I'm also involved in some Oral hygiene education and awareness with kids. (Have two kids of my own) Do you think I have a shot at schools like NYU, Temple, UMDNJ (NJ resident)?

Here are my thoughts about the test:

RC: The questions weren't that bad but the answers choices are tricky. You have to understand the passage to answer the questions.

PAT: Like everyone said TFE and pattern folding harder than CDP, Angles, keyholes, and hole punching same. I was surprised by this score because i was scoring 19-23 on CDP and through the test I didnt feel like it was that hard. Dont know what happened.

Bio: Destroyer and Cliffs are good for this.

GC: Chad and Destroyer all the way!

OC: Destroyer

QR: Destroyer math. I had 1 p-value question and 1 easy standard deviation but a lot of time consuming word problems, very little trig and geometry and arithmetic.

So thats that! I am glad is over but I did expect more compared to the time and effort I put into studying for this. I really do not feel like taking it again but if itll increase my chances of getting in I could take it!

Good Luck on ur exams everyone!

 

[MuskieMan33]

Having been in the dental field and wanting to take the next step to be a dentist is a good thing I think! You will already know more than the incoming class just from being around it for so long. Yeah, your gpa is a 3.1 which is a little low for average acceptances. I think you would stand out as an applicant by having been in dentistry as a hygienist for 7 years, something that most average applicants don't have (other than shadowing). It would give you an advantage in the classroom I think by simply being so familiar with terms and procedures.

Also, were you taking classes as a hygienist or was the 3.1 gpa from your undergrad/hygienist program?

 

[Msmouth]

Do you think that you could study your way into significantly higher scores? Maybe it's worth a try? Meantime I would apply ASAP, score some interviews and plan on a retake just in case.

Good luck!

Do you mind sharing your study schedule?
I also have 2 kids and have been an RDH for 15 + years.

Are you from northern Jersey? PM me!

 

[TheDentist16]

I think you have a shot at UMDNJ definitely because they are extracurricular-friendly and in-state friendly. Temple and NYU have higher cut offs unfortunately, for their GPA and DAT. I was told by NYU specifically that they sift through their application pool and only select 3.4+ GPA applicants for interviews. However, they told me that they would give a bit of leniency with those that have higher DAT scores and those that have very unique applications. In this case I think that your experience within the dental field will definitely be a positive influence on the admissions committee. In my opinion, I agree that you should definitely apply early and broadly and consider a re-take for the DAT.

You will definitely land some interviews if you apply early due to your experience within the field. This is definitely a very positive attribute that you bring to a dental school as you are already very familiar with the field and wish to further your career. Some schools however place a high emphasis on academics and DATs, and that's where you would want to consider a re-take. If you improve your PAT and RC/QR to bring up your AA, you will definitely have a more secured shot at schools like NYU and Temple that place a greater emphasis on numbers.

Best of luck to you!

 

[biomolecmed]

You did not do that bad. You god a few scores above 20. Your experience, education and the recommendation letters will also count.

 

[Hygienist]

Thanks for the reply guys. Yea this is my undergrad GPA Bio major/Chem minor, just graduated this summer. The Hygiene program was exclusively hygiene and the related sciences, I have an Associates in that.

I think you guys are right, I might have a chance but slim. Ill apply now and plan on retaking once the three months are over. Do i have to let them know i am planning a retake?

Thanks!

 

[Dusk]

Thanks for the reply guys. Yea this is my undergrad GPA Bio major/Chem minor, just graduated this summer. The Hygiene program was exclusively hygiene and the related sciences, I have an Associates in that.

I think you guys are right, I might have a chance but slim. Ill apply now and plan on retaking once the three months are over. Do i have to let them know i am planning a retake?

Thanks!

Those are very solid dat scores, you should be proud. But if you feel the need to retake, when you apply, you can check off the date for a future dat. Then they'll know to expect one from you.

 

[Dotoday]

Your scores are not too bad. You might make it to some schools. I am sure that your experience along with GPA and letters of recommendation will count.

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